Their stories of service

Lu Chao has seen the number of volunteers at Xiangshan Book Bar in Jiangsu province's Jiangyin surge from a handful of employees belonging to its founder's company to over a thousand from all walks of life.

The 26-year-old Hubei province native has stayed on as a volunteer, even after leaving the company to found his own trade business in 2012.

"We don't care about money," Lu says.

"We just want to do something for society while enjoying ourselves. It's worthwhile, and you meet likeminded people."

But not just anyone can become a volunteer.

Applicants are asked to consider the decision for a month. Then they can start training.

Many have expertise that enables them to host events and lectures related to such realms as traditional culture, English learning and calligraphy. They also organize events' logistics, sort books and perform janitorial duties.

The book bar uses an online "time bank" to track and manage volunteers.

Over 50 volunteers are retirees. The oldest is over 80.

liuzhihua@chinadaily.com.cn

Clockwise from top: Xiangshan Book Bar provides tea and coffee in the reading room. Volunteers meet outside the book bar. Reading time. Xiangshan Book Bar's name written calligraphically. photos by ed zhang / China Daily

(China Daily 07/15/2016 page41)